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PhotDgmphic 

Sciences 
Corpomtion 


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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


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d'images  n6cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mdthode. 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

1 

,  d^^tJ^ 


THE  PRESENT  WAR  UNEXPECTED,  UNNECESSAlff, 

AND  RUINOUS.  ^^^fh 


*••••:>•' 


TWO 


DISCOURSES 

DELIVERED    IN    BOSTON. 

THE  FIRST 

ON  THE  23d.  OF  JULY,  181iJ, 
'^^  I  .  THE  FAST  APPOINTED 

BY   THE   GOVERNOR  OF  MASSACHUSETTS; 
THE  SECOND 

ON  THE  20th  OF  AUGUST, 
THE     FAST     APPOINTED     BY     THE 

t>RESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES, 

IN   CONSEQUENCE    OF    THE 

PRESENT  WAK. 


V 


\. 


BY  JOHN  LATHROP,  D.  D. 

VA8T0R  OE  THE  SECOND  CHURCH  IN  BOSTON. 


PUBLISHED  JiT  THE  BEQUEST  OF  THE  HEABERS. 

BOSTON  : 

PUBI<tSHED  BT  J.  W.  BURDITT,  &  CO. 
COURT  STREET* 

1812. 


^' 


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^w.^ 


FIRST  DISCOURSE. 

JEREMIAH  viii.  15. 

"  WE  LOOKED  FOR  PEACE,  BUT  NO  GOOD  CAME." 

We  gather  important  instruction  from  the  history  of 
past  ages,  and  from  past  dispensations  of  the  provi- 
dence of  God.  After  Jehovah  had  warned  his  ancient 
covenant  people  of  their  dangers,  and  they  would  not 
be  reclaimed,  he  proceeded  to  punish  them.  When 
smaller  punishments  were  disregarded,  they  were  in- 
creased and  made  more  serious,  until  a  rebellious  and 
incorrigible  people  were  broken  down  with  calamities, 
and  the  miserable  sui  vivors  were  made  captives,  and 
carried  into  strange  countries. 

Jeremiah  lived  before,  and  at  the  time  of  the  inva- 
sion of  Jerusalem  by  the  king  of  Babylon.  By  the 
spirit  of  prophecy  he  was  able  to  predict  the  captivity 
of  the  nation,  the  continuance  of  the  captivity,  and  the 
year  of  deliverance. 

While  the  armies  of  the  Chaldeans  were  assembling, 
various  rumours  were  in  circulation,  and  various  at- 
tempts were  made  to  deceive  the  people,  and  keep 
them  quiet.  Jeremiah,  as  a  servant  and  messenger  of 
God,  was,  however,  constant  and  faithful  in  his  admo- 
nitions and  warnings ;  and  while  he  pointed  out  the 
crimes  of  the  children  of  Israel,  and  called  upon  them 


\. 


3H 


-^Mi 


/ 


r 


to  repent,  he  let  them  know  what  would  be  their 
certain  fate,  if  they  continued  in  their  evil  ways.  There 
were  other  prophets  who  flattered  the  people,  and  told 
them  they  had  nothing  to  fear ;  and,  as  the  truth  of 
prophecy  is  not  made  manifest,  until  the  time  of  the 
fulfilment,  hearing  one  predicting  evil  things,  and  oth- 
ers predicting  good,  the  people  knew  not  which  to  be- 
lieve. Jeremijili,  because  he  was  faithful,  and  testified 
against  the  rulers  of  Israel,  and  against  a  sinful  people, 
was  persecuted,  cast  into  prison,  and  confined  in  a 
dungeon. 

Such  was  the  influence  of  the  false  prophets,  after 
Jeremiah  was  put  out  of  the  way,  that  many  of  the  peo- 
ple were  disposed  to  think,  the  evils  with  which  they 
had  been  threatened  would  not  come  upon  them. 
They  were  deceived;  they  were  looking  for  peace, 
and  would  not  yield  to  an  apprehension  of  danger,  un- 
til they  found  the  enemy  had  approached  very  near  to 
them. 

With  feeling  emphasis  may  the  people  of  the  United 
States  adopt  the  words  of  the  prophet,  and  say,  "  We 
"  looked  for  peace,  but  no  good  came  ;  and  for  a  time 
•'  of  health,  and  behold  trouble."  Although  threatened 
with  war  for  some  time  past,  we  have  hoped  the  evil 
would  not  come.  We  cannot  say,  that  false  prophets 
have  deceived  us,  as  the  children  of  Israel  werr.  de- 
ceived ;  but  as  we  saw  no  reason  why  any  foreign  na- 
tion should  make  war  upon  us,  we  could  not  believe 
our  rulers  would  make  war  on  any  foreign  nation,  un- 
til the  present  war  was  actually  declared.  Many  of  us 
could  not  think,  nor  do  we  yet  think  the  war  in  which 


ni 


..';&iialidt^>r..... 


be  their 
s.  There 
and  told 
truth  of 
le  of  the 
and  oth- 
ch  to  be- 
i  testified 
il  people, 
led  in  a 

ets,  after 
■the  peo- 
lich  they 
n  them, 
r  peace, 
ger,  un- 
r  near  to 

I  United 
T,  "  We 
r  a  time 
reatened 
the  evil 
)rophets 
'err,  de- 
sign na- 
believe 
ion,  un- 
ly  of  us 
I  which 


•  * 


our  country  is  now  involved,  is  either  necessary  or  ex- 
pedient :  we  saw  our  country  broken  into  parties,  and 
as  we  thought  utterly  unprovided,  and  therefore  we 
could  not  believe  cur  rulers  would  provoke  any  nation 
to  make  war  upon  us,  and  especially  a  nation  which 
can  do  us  unspeakable  damage,  and  whose  strength 
and  treasures  are  very  much  out  of  our  reach. 

War  is  certainly  a  g'reat  evil,  an  evil  which  the  wise 
and  the  good  will  always  deprecate.  In  whatever  ways 
wars  are  brought  upon  a  nation,  whether  by  the  inva- 
sion of  an  enemy,  or  by  an  attack  first  made  by  an  in- 
jured nation,  wars  are  certainly  among  the  great  evils, 
under  which  the  sinful  children  of  men  have  been 
doomed  to  suffer.  Our  nation  is  now  beginning  to 
suflfer  calamities,  which  in  the  last  twenty  years  have 
spread  over  the  fairest  parts  of  the  world.  We  viewed 
the  storm  of  war  on  the  continent  of  Europe,  as  we 
view  the  tempest  at  a  distance.  We  marked  its  awful 
progress  :  we  hoped  no  winds  would  bring  it  across 
the  wide  Atlantick.  But  alas  !  the  unwelcome  sound 
is  heard  along  our  shores.  What  we  hoped  would  not 
come  upon  us  is  now  making  its  appearance.  The 
trumpet  is  sounding  in  our  streets  ;  our  young  men 
are  summoned  to  the  field  ;  and  it  will  not  be  long  be? 
fore  the  garments  of  our  brothers  and  of  our  sons  will 
be  rolled  in  blood.  But  I  will  not  anticipate  what  will 
naturally  come  before  us,  while  discoursing  on  the  pre- 
sent subject. 

I  will  now  call  your  attention  to  such  remarks  and 
observations,  as  shall  be  suggested  by  the  text,  and 
may  be  proper  for  us  to  make  on  the  present  occasion. 


1/ 
ft. 


'I 


^ 
^ 


•v. 


1^.:. 


H 


i 

I 


9 

and  the  feelings  wh.ch  good  men  have  expres^d  in' 

M  the  love  of  peace  is  natural  to  man,  and  all  good 
men  desire  to  live  in  peace,  war  is  an  evil  which^ 
good  men  dep,.eate,  and  the„.forc  good  rulers  wm 
not  enter  .nto  war,  but  with  great  caution  and  grelt 
«>luctance.  Our  following  remarks  and  observaUons 
W.11  go  to  .llust^te  and  prove  the  sentiments  wh  c  "e 
have  now  mentioned. 

Peace,  like  health  of  body,  is  a  blessing  which  rives 
sweemess  to  all  our  other  enjoyments.  Peae  wm  be 
«.ughtand  cherished  by  all  good  men,  becaLT  i 
desirable  m  itself,  it  is  favourable  to  rdigion  "o  he 
cult.vat.on  of  the  useful  arts,  to  those  thing!  wWb  e 
.most  or^mental  and  dignifying  to  ma'  in  hTs  Z 
d.v.d„al  capacty,  and  as  a  member  of  society 

Sacred  writers,  in  glowing  language,  have  described 
*e  b lessmgs  of  peace ;  and  wc  too  well  know  the  v^ 
fe  ofth.s  blesstng,  to  assent  to  any  measure  which 

While  r" "  °'  "•  ^°" "'  '"'»'"'^'  --4 

Wh  le  our  country  was  favoured  with  peace,  and  the 

mtobttants  were  genentUy  „„i,ed.  it  was  pr^pcror 

and  happy,  and  highly  respected.  ' 

Saint  Paul  gave  the  following  exhortation  to  his  fel- 

Iowch„st,a„satRome;  "If it  be  possible,  as  much 

as  lieth  m  you,  hve  peaceably  with  all  men."   There 

Ae  best  habits,  cannot  live  peaceably  with  their  fellow 
men.    Saint  Paul  ktiew  there  might  be  such  cases. 


f.' 


m  minds 

* 

)rcsiicd  in 
a  natural 

i  all  good 
tvhich  all 
ilers  will 
nd  great 
-rvations 
vhich  we 

ch  gives 
;  will  be 
ise  it  is 
,  to  the 
lich  are 
his  in- 

scribed 
he  val- 
which 
lessity, 
id  the 
erous, 

lis  fel- 
much 
There 
;s  and 
fellow 
^asesi 


I- 


His  knowledge  of  the  world,  and  his  own  experience 
had  taught  him,  that  the  most  innocent  and  prudent 
are  not  always  safe.  When  we  are  for  peace,  others 
may  be  for  war ;  and  we  may  be  under  the  disagreea- 
ble necessity  of  taking  up  arms  in  our  own  defence. 

Powerful  kings  are  not  always  satisfied  with  the 
powers  which  they  possess.  If  they  have  already  am- 
ple dominions,  they  still  wish  to  add  to  them.  And 
among  the  subjects  of  great  monarchs,  there  are  many 
restless  spirits  who  delight  in  war.  Such  has  been  the 
state  of  the  world  in  all  ages,  that  people  who  have 
wished  to  live  in  peace,  could  not  be  gratified.  The 
sons  of  violence,  and  men  destitute  of  all  good  princi- 
pie,  have  fallen  upon  the  innocent  and  unoffending,  and 
taken  from  them  their  property  and  their  rights. 

When  Paul  was  converted,  and  had  joined  himself 
to  the  followers  of  Christ,  he  did  not  give  up  the  rights 
which  belonged  to  him  as  a  Roman  citizen.  Although 
it  was  impossible  for  him  to  defend  himself,  when 
lawless  men  deprived  him  of  his  liberty,  and  cruelly 
treated  him,  he  boldly  remonstrated  against  their  con- 
duct, and  in  some  instances  his  claims  were  respected. 
Christians  will  consider,  the  noble  and  manly  spirit 
which  Saint  Paul  exhibited,  as  an  example  for  them 
to  imitate.  Paul  did  not  use  violence  when  he  was 
insulted,  for  he  knew  that  using  violence  would  only 
exasperate  a  mob ;  but  he  let  the  men  know  who 
treated  him  ill,  that  he  was  a  Roman,  and  they  were 
answerable  for  their  conduct. 

A  season  of  peace  gives  a  favourable  opportunity 
for  iroprovenacnt  in  the  knowledge  of  divine  truth, 


:     { 


i, 


ii^\S 


M) 


6 

and  the  cultivation  of  the  best  affections  of  Uie  heart. 
The  science  of  war,  although  necessary  for  defence, 
is  not  a  science  which  tends  to  make  the  heart  good  j' 
but  the  study  and  Uic  practice  of  war  give  strength  to 
the  fiercer  passions,  and  tend  to  make  men,  what  we 
certainly  do  not  wish  them  to  be ;— unfriendly  to  one 
another. 

No  wise  and  good  king  will  lead  his  subjects  to 
make  war,  for  insufficient  reasons,  and  where  the  in- 
juries they  would  be  hkcly  to  suffer  iii  war,  would  be 
greater  than  the  advantages  they  could  expect  to  gain. 
No  wise  king  will  make  Wiir  unless  the  necessity  be 
uncommonly  pressing.     No  wise  king  v.  .11  make  war, 
where  the  power  which  he  has  to  oppose  is  vastly  su- 
perior,  and  the  expectation  of  success  altogether  im- 
probable.     The  Prince  of  Peace,  whom  we  acknowl. 
edge  as  our  Master,  hath  left  an  important  lesson  on 
th,s  subject.     «  What  king,  saith  he,  going  to  make 
"  war  with  another  king,  sitleth  not  down  first  and 
"  consulteth,  whether  he  be  able  with  ten  thousand,  to 
"  meet  him  tliat  cometh  against   him   with  twenty 
"  thousand  ?   or  else,  while  the  other  is  yet  a  great 
"  way  off,  he  sendeth  an  embassage,  and  desireth  con- 
''  ditions  of  peace." 

Rash  men,  who  scorn  to  deliberate,  and  in  whose 
tatimaiion  prudence  is  the  least  of  all  the  virtues  will 
clamour  for  war  on  the  first  provocation,  not  re'gard. 
ing  the  power  of  the  enemy,  or  the  strong  probability 
of  havmg  disgrace  added  to  the  injury  they  have  al- 
ready  received. 


h.  / 


■  tlic  heart. 
)r  defence, 
eart  good  j 
strength  to 
I,  what  we 
idly  to  one 

ubjects  to 
?rc  the  in- 

would  be 
ct  to  gain, 
cessity  be 
nake  war, 
vastly  su- 
2ther  im- 
acknowl. 
lesson  on 

to  make 

first  and 
usand,  to 
1  twenty 

a  great 
reth  con- 

n  whose 
ues,  will 
t  regard- 
obability 
have  al- 


Wise  and  good  rulers  will  never  declare  war,  unless 
the  cause  be  evidently  just,  and  they  have  also  good 
assurance  that  dieir  subjects  will  support  them  ;  and 
not  then,  until  they  have  re(iucsted  the  assistance  and 
blessing  of  the  God  of  Heaven.  Tlie  good  kings,  who 
reigned  over  the  children  of  Israel,  had  the  people  as- 
sembled before  God,  and  humbly  recjuestcd  direction, 
before  they  marched  against  an  enemy  ;  and  a  practice 
like  this  was  always  observed  by  the  rulers  of  the  col- 
onies in  New  England,  on  great  and  important  occa- 
sions, and  especially  when  armies  were  called  forth  in 
defence  of  the  country.  A  practice  somewhat  like  this 
was  observed  even  by  the  ancient  Romans.  They  did 
not  go  to  war,  without  calling  on  the  gods,  whom 
they  worshipped.  It  is  surprising,  says  an  excellent 
writer,  "  to  find  such  justice,  and  moderation,  and 
"  wisdom  among  the  llomans.  in  their  manner  of  ma- 
"  king  war,  at  a  time  too,  when  apparently  nothing  but 
"  carnage  and  ferocitt/  was  to  be  expected  from  them." 
By  such  conduct,  particularly  invoking  the  gods,  pre- 
vious to  declaring  war,  "  Rome  laid  the  most  solid 
"  foundation  for  its  future  greatness." 

To  be  well  qualified  to  rule  over  a  great  people,  a 
man  nuist  not  only  be  wise,  but  have  the  fear  of  God 
before  him.  Such  a  ruler  will  have  counsellors  and 
advisers  near  him,  who  respect  the  divine  government, 
and  feel  a  responsibility  for  what  they  do. 

What  could  the  ruler  of  a  nation  expect,  should  he 
involve  his  subjects  ^  a  dangerous  war,  when  he  knew 
that  nearly  one  half  of  them  were  utterly  opposed  to  it  ? 
An  absolute  monarch,  with  a  powerful  army  at  his 


{ 


Ml 


< 

4  —,    ■ 


t- 


K) 

command,  may  b,;ar  down  opposition,  and  compel  Ws 
subjects  to  obey.    But  -he  case  is  very  diiiirent  in  a 
country  wliere  a  I,igh  sense  of  liberty  stUl  prevails,  and 
rulers  can  possess  no  powers  but  what  the  people  are 
plea^d  to  give  them,  and  can  have  no  armies  to  com- 
mand  but  such  as  *e  people  will  consent  to  support. 
Should  a  people  thus  free,  give  their  rulers  an  army 
suifi=,ent  to  controul  them,  and  to  take  from  them 
nghts  .vhtch  they  had  never  promised  to  surrender, 
when  too  late  thsy  may  lament  their  folly  ;  but  in  the 
bitterest  servitude  can  scarcely  hope  to  be  pitied. 

•      !uf "I "'' ^°"'  "■'^' ^ '*^' "O"- "««.  ""-y  seem 
mcred.be,  but  it  is  a  sober  fact,  that  far  the  greatest 
part  ofte  world  is  now  in  the  very  state  of  servitude 
which  has  just  been  expressed.    Fa,-  the  greatest  part  of 
what  ,s  called  the  civilized  nations  of  the  earti,  is  at 
JUS  day  under  a  government  of  force.    Kings  and 
emperors  have  armies  at  command,  able  to  hold  the 
people  m  subjection.     Those  great  republioks,  which 
tor  many  ages,  maintained  the  liberties  of  the  subieol*' 
l^ve  been  one  after  another,  corrupted  and  conquer.' 
ed;  and  the  American  republicfc  is  the  'ast  to  nve 
nenee  *e  change,  s  which  the  others  have  experienced; 
and  to  follow  them  too,  into  the  shades  of  oblivion, 
io  us,  my  hearers,  the  consideration  is  serioui.  that 
our  republican  government,  aUhough  young,  has  the 
symptoms  of  disease  and  of  death,  which  oihersex! 
lubited,  at  a  much  later  age.    Ancient  republick,  were 
corrupted,  and  divided,  and  conquered.     Our  repub. 
uclc,  1  fear,  ,s  corrupted ;  it  is  awfully  divided,  and  if 
no  means  can  be  devised  to  heal  the  divisions,  we 


it 


compel  his 
fTerent  in  a 
revails,  and 
people  are 
ies  to  com- 
o  support. 
^s  an  army 
tirom  them 
surrender, 
but  in  the 
itied. 

may  seem 
B  greatest 
servitude, 
est  part  of 
arth,  is  at 
^ings  and 
'  hold  the 
s,  which, 
subjects, 
conquer- 
to  expe- 
irienced, 
oblivion. 
)U3,  that 
has  the 
hers  ex- 
ks  were 
•  repub- 
I,  and  if 
3ns,  we 


need  not  the  spirit  of  prophecy  to  predict  its  ruin, 
Oiir  form  of  government,  weakened  as  it  is  by  divis- 
ions, can  remaki  but  a  short  time.  You  will  agree 
with  me  in  opinion,  that  the  present  condition  of  our 
country,  and  of  our  government,  is  a  very  unfavoura- 
ble condition  for  war. 

Good  rulers  will  not  suffer  war  to  be  proclaimed, 
until  every  possible  method  be  attempted  to  bring  an 
offending  nation  to  make  satisfaction  ;  because,  when 
W2r  is  commenced,  no  mortal  can  tell  vjhen  or  how  it 
will  end. 

When  the  chief  ruler  of  a  nation,  signs  a  declaration 
of  \var,  he,  in  effect,  signs  the  death  warrant  of  thous- 
ands of  his  fellow  creatures.  The  business  of  war  is 
the  business  of  destruction.  When  armies  march 
against  each  other,  each  army  goes  with  a  determina- 
tion to  destroy  as  many  of  the  opposing  army,  as  its 
power  and  skill  will  enable  it  to  destroy.  A  prudent 
and  humane  ruler  will  consider  these  things,  and  will 
not  declare  war,  unless  he  finds  himself  compelled  to 
do  it,  in  the  defence  of  rights  essential  to  the  honour 
and  happiness  of  th^;  nation  which  he  governs,  and  af- 
ter all  other  means  have  in  vain  been  attempted. 

Men  of  high  sensibility,  and  young  men,  who  know 
little  of  the  sufferings  of  the  camp,  or  the  dangers  of 
the  bloody  conflict,  may  perceive  in  themselves  an  ele- 
vation of  spirits  when  the  tr  impet  sounds,  and  they 
are  called  to  arms  ;  but  bold  young  men,  who  think 
nothing  can  withstand  them,  will  do  well  to  read  the 
message  which  the  King  of  Israel  sent  to  Benhadad: 


1  4' 


1 


'  -«~^ 


12 


i) 

I 


K       \     I 


''  Tell  him,  let  not  him  that  girdeth  on  the  harness, 
boast  himself  as  he  thatputteth  it  ofF." 
Rulers  qualified  for  the  high  office  which  they  hold 
will  consider,  when  they  make  war,  they  are  responsi' 
bic  to  God,  and  to  their  subjects,  and  to  the  world.     He 
who  claims  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth  as  his  own 
has  denounced  a  curse  against  "  the  man  who  sheddeth 
';the  blood  of  man,"  unless  it  be  in  the  execution  of  a 
righteous  sentence,  or  on  the  clear  principle  of  defence. 
What  an  awful  account  therefore  will  the  kings  of  the 
earth  be  called  to  give  at  the  last  day  ?   The  wars 
which  kings  and  rulers  have  generally  made,  have 
been  unnecessary  and  unjust ;  and  of  consequence  the 
blood  of  the  many  millions  which  have  perished  in 
such  wars,  cricth  for  vengeance  on  the  authors  of  their 
destruction. 

War  is  like  a  devouring  flame  :  when  let  loose  it 
spreads  destruction  far  and  wide.     A  wise  and  virtuous 
ruler  w.Il  therefore  deliberate  calmly,  and  weigh  all 
circumstances,  tiiat  he  may  be  satisfied  the  war  which 
he  ,s  about  to  make,  is  not  only  just  and  necessarv, 
but  that  the  advantages  he  may  probably  gain,  will  be 
worth  the  lives  and  treasures  which  he  must  sacrifice 
in  the  conflict.     A  wise  and  virtuous  ruler  will  endeav- 
our to  place  before  him,  all  the  probable  events  of  the 
war  which  he  contemplates.    He  will  bring  into  view 
the  field  of  battle  :  in  serious  meditation  .he  will  place 
before  him,  the  hundreds  and  thousands  of  killed  and 
wounded  :  he  will  send  his  thoughts  to  the  homes  of 
the  brave  officers,  and  the  brave  soldiers,  who  must  fall 
and  never  see  their  homes  again  :   in  imagination  he 


be  harness, 

they  hold, 
3  responsi- 
^orld.  He 
is  his  own, 

0  sheddeth 
"ution  of  a 
^i  defence. 
ngs  of  the 
The  wars 
ade,  have 
[ucnce  the 
:rished  in 
rs  of  their 

loose  it 

1  virtuous 
weigh  all 
ar  which 
Ecessarv, 
I,  will  be 

sacrifice 
1  endeav- 
ts  of  the 
nto  view 
'ill  place 
illed  and 
lomes  of 
lust  fall, 
ation  hQ 


13 

will  hear  the  shrieks  of  widows, — the  bitter  wailings 
of  fiitherless  children  :  he  will  then  ask  himself,  what 
shall  I  gain, — what  can  I  gain  by  the  war  I  am  about 
to  undertake,  which  will  compensate  in  any  measure 
for  the  poverty,  distress  and  misery,  which  I  shall  bring 
on  my  fellow  creatures  ?  A  good  ruler  will  ponder 
long, — will  think  seriously,  and  earnestly  call  on  God 
for  direction,  before  he  opens  the  flood  gates  of  de- 
stru':tion  on  any  part  of  the  family  of  mankind. 

But  however  carefully  and  seriously  we  may  sup- 
pose wise  and  virtuous  rulers  will  proceed  in  the  busi- 
nes  of  making  war,  we  find,  that  on  the  eighteenth  of 
June  last,  the  rulers  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
saw  fit  to  declare  war  "  against  the  United  Kingdom 
"  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  and  the  dependencies 
"  thereof." 

By  this  unexpected  event, — unexpected,  because 
our  country  is  utterly  unprepared  for  it,  the  American 
people  in  general,  and  the  people  of  this  commonwealth 
in  particular,  are  exposed  to  deprivations,  to  losses  and 
sufferings  more  painful  and  complicated,  than  we  are 
able  to  enumerate. 

No  doubt,  there  may  be  cases,  in  which  a  people  as 
unprovided,  as  the  American  people  now  are,  ought  to 
make  resistance,  and  declare  war.  The  aggressions 
may  be  so  great  and  provoking,  and  the  danger  of  de- 
lay so  evident,  that  a  people,  retaining  any  sense  of  lib- 
erty, would  be  justified  in  the  view  of  God,  in  making 
all  the  resistance  in  their  power,  although  the  enemy 
may  be  much  stronger,  and  much  better  provided. 


)  \. 


f 


14 

A  small  people  may  perform  wonders  when  tliey 
know  their  cause  is  just,  and  they  are  well  united. 
A  case  of  this  sort  many  of  us  have  in  our  minds.     In 
seventeen  hundred  and  seventy-five,  the  controversy 
between  the  then  colonies  and  provinces  in  America 
and  the  British  government,  was  brought  to  a  crisis, 
in  which  there  appeared  to  be  no  alternative  between 
absolute  subjection,  and  a  resolute  opposition.      The 
sword  was  drawn  on  the  part  of  the  British  govern- 
ment :  the  blood  of  Americans  was  wantonly  shed  : 
the  war  was  begun,  if  not  in  a  formal  manner  declar- 
ed ;  and  an  injured  people  had  to  choose  cither  to  de- 
fend themselves,  or  submit  to  a  condition  too  degrad- 
ing  for  them  to  bear.      Resistance  accordingly  was 
made ;  and  the  people  being  united,  after  a  hard  contest 
of  more  than  seven  years,  obtained  their  cbject. 

Whoever  compares  the  revolutionary  war,  with  the 
present,  will  find  the  causes  and  circumstances  ex- 
tiemely  difierent.     In  the  former  case  Great  Britain 
attempted  to  take  from  the  American  colonies,  some 
of  their  important  civil  rights,  and  this  was  attempted 
by  the  force  of  arms.     Our  country  was  invaded  with 
a  force  determined  to  make  our  subjection  absolute. 
In  the  present  case,  there  is  no  professed  design  on  the 
part  of  the  British  government  to  take  from  the  A- 
merican  people,  any  of  their  civil  rights  :   no  attempt 
has  been  made  to  bring  the  United  States  under  sub. 
jection.     No  part  of  our  country  has  been  invaded  by 
the  troops  of  Great  Britain.     Had  that  been  the  case, 
all  parties  would  have  united  and  hastened  to  make 
defence.     It  is  true,  diat  m  the  dreadful  contest  be- 


■1 
1 


'4 


'-? 


15 

tween  Britain  and  France,  the  American  people  havfc 
suffered  ;  and  by  the  opei-ation  of  certain  Decrees  of 
the  one,  and  certain  Orders  of  the  other,  vast  property- 
has  been  taken  from  Americans  unjustly.  But  a 
war  with  the  one  or  the  other  will  not  bring  back  to 
sufferers  the  property  which  has  been  taken,  and  the 
ships  which  have  been  burned.  If  the  war  be  just,  it 
would  be  just  against  both  :  but  if  there  be  nothing  at 
present  to  gain  by  war,  either  with  the  one  or  the  other 
of  the  offending  nations,  and  in  all  probability,  an  im- 
mense loss  will  be  incurred  by  a  war  with  the  nation 
which  has  a  power  to  injure  us,  the  war  is  certainly  in- 
expedient. The  inexpediency  of  the  present  war  will 
appear  in  a  glaring  point  of  view,  when  we  consider 
the  vast  extent  of  sea  coast,  and  of  property  exposed 
to  the  enemy  ;  the  unprepared  condition  of  our  coun- 
try, and  the  powerful  opposition  made  to  war  meas- 
ures, by  those  states  from  which  the  principal  supports 
of  war  must  be  drawn,  or  it  can  never  succeed. 

A  war  so  unpopular,  as  the  present  war  appears  to  be, 
cannot  be  supported.  Armies  to  effect  any  great  pur- 
poses cannot  be  raised.  Miserable  creatures  may  be 
taken  from  the  prisons,  and  the  work-houses,  and  vag- 
abonds, destitute  of  a  home,  and  of  friends,  may  be 
collected  and  disciplined,  but  such  are  not  the  men  on 
whom  our  country  is  to  depend  for  safety  and  defence. 

Whenever  a  war  shall  appear  to  the  great  body  of 
the  American  people,  to  be  both  just  and  necessary,  » 
very  different  sort  of  men  will  appear  in  the  ranks, 
from  those  in  g-i  f"r4l,  who  now  enlist.  The  promis- 
ing young  men  of  our  country  will  not  quit  the  peace- 


i 


« 


16 

ful  employments  of  life,  where  thev  receive  an  .m.I. 
reward  for  their  labours,  and  at  ni^h,  '^'' 

in  their  beds,  for  tl.e  filthiness  of  1  '""'"'^ 

get.  of  warfa^.,  unlermuch  s^?™''''  "'  ""^  ''^"■ 
rcred,tha„i.avehithertn:::r^— :-- 
compul.on,  while  the  people  are  so  divided  and  the 

-.^efamia^^rs— arr^s^^^^^^ 

-  o  the  service  ;  but  the  spirits  of  the^AmerLan;: 

"potrTrb".'™''"'    "---"mission  ■'to':^, 
powers  that  be"  ,5  not  yet  so  absolute. 

cour  r^hh  t"""™  ""■"'  '  '^'"  '^'^  *is  dis. 

cd  to  1       '        '"^""''  =""  ^^™"^  — '".  suit, 
cd  to  the  present  oc(  .tiion. 

Our  last  observation  is  tli;«  .00.       ». 
ry  and  expedient,  is  a  great  evil,  and  eannot  be  proseeut 

But,  to  our  astonishment,  we  find  there  are  somn 
am™g  -.  who  not  only  speak  of  waras  a  ve^  tr  Z, 
matter,  but  mvtte  their  friends  and  companions  to  e^ 
m-  .n  war,  as  "  their  sport  and  pastime." 

Sterrftr  r°,^"  ""^  '-g -customed  lo  the 
^ughter  of  their  fellow  creatures,  md  those  onlv,  can 
l^  supposed  to  possess  such  ferocious  tempers.  Ma,l 
sueh  tempers  we  shall  not  expect  to  find  among  the 


'SUMP 


eivc  an  ample 
in  rest  quietly 
•  and  the  dan- 
easons  are  of- 
e  them :    and 
ided,  and  the 
ful,  is  out  of 
where  large 
tnay  be  taken 
r,  and  forced 
nerican  peo- 
ion  "  to  the 

ose  this  dis- 
marks,  suit- 

vernecessa- 
>e  prosecut- 
d  and  great 
d  suppose, 
y,  with  ac- 

are  some 
ery  trifling 
ons  to  en- 
delight  in 
tied  to  the 
onlj,,  can 
5.    Many 
mong  the 


17 

citizens  of  the  United  States.  But  if  any  among  us 
be  so  depraved,  so  unlit  for  the  society  of  civilized 
man,  let  them  go  to  the  places  of  human  slaughter, 
where  they  "  shall  have  blood  given  them  to  diink, 
"  for  they  are  worthy."*  Let  them  hearken  to  the 
groans  of  the  wounded  and  the  dying  :  let  them  be- 
hold thousands  weltering  in  their  blood  :  let  them  see 
towns  and  cities  in  flames,  and  the  miserable  inhabi- 
tants flying  in  every  direction  :  let  them  ue  present  at 
such  scenes  ;  yea,  let  them  be  among  the  sufferers, 
themselves  wounded  and  half  dead,  and  then  let  them 
tell  us  what  they  think  of  war.  After  witnessing  and 
suffering  such  things  as  these,  1  believe  they  will  not 
call  their  companions  to  the  field  of  battle,  as  '*  to  their 
"  sport  and  pastime.'* 

Enough,  perhaps,  has  been  said  to  illustrate  the  sub- 
ject before  us. — There  is  in  man  a  natural  love  of  peace. 
All  good  men  "  look  for  peace ;"  desire  to  live  in  peace, 
and  consider  war  as  one  of  the  greatest  evils  which  can 
befal  them  in  the  present  life.  Good  rulers  therefore 
will  not  expose  their  subjects  to  the  calamities  of  war, 
unless  the  reasons  be  very  powerful,  and  amount  to 
what  the  sober  and  considerate  part  of  mankind  will 
denominate,  necessary. 

War  however  has  been  declared  :  the  proclamation 
hath  been  openly  made.  Our  country  is  at  war  with 
"  the  United  Kingdom  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland, 
"  and  the  dependencies  thereof."  In  the  present  per- 
plexed and  distressing  condition  of  the  United  States, 
inquiry  is  made  by  almost  every  one,  what  shall  we  do  ? 

•  Rerelation  xvi.  6, 


Id 

Wliat  a?c  the  duties  we  owe  our  couniiy  ?  What  are 
we  called  to  do  as  members  of  society,  in  union  with  the 
i?reat  body  of  the  American  people  ?  What  are  we 
called  to  do  as  christians  ? 

An  answer  to  such  like  questions  cannot  be  attempt- 
ed  at  the  present  time.  Some  attempt  may  be  made 
in  a  second  part  of  a  discourse  from  the  text  before  us 
M-Jnch  by  di^-ine  permission  I  will  give  on  the  day  of 
pubiick  humiliation  and  prayer,  which  I  perceive  has 
been  appointed  by  the  President  of  the  United  States 

The  petitions  which  we  are  this  day  requested  to  of. 
fer  unto  Almighty  God,  arc  in  the  highest  sense  proper 
and  such  as  we  can  unite  in  making,  with  sineerity 
and  a  good  conscience. 

^^  We  pray  that  "  God  would  forgive  our  ingratitude, 
and  the  innumerable   transgressions  of  which  we 
^^  have  b,en  guilty.     That  he  would  give  wisdom,  in- 
tegrity,  and  patriotism  to  our  national  and  state  gov- 
ernments,  that  the  leaders  of  the  people  may  not    ' 
cause  them  to  err.       That  he  would  inspire  the 
^^  Presidentand  Congress,  and  the  government  of  Great 
iJntain  with  just  and  pacifiek  sentiments.      That  he 
-  would  humble  the  pride,  and  subdue  the  lusts  and 
^^  passions  of  men,  from  whence  wars  proceed,  and 
that  peace  may  speedily  be  restored  to  us  on  safe  and 
.,  honourable  terms.      That  he  would  guard  the  lives 
ot  our  soldiers  and  mariners,  and  protect  our  com- 
"  mcrce  and  navigation  from  the  dangers  with  which 
"  they  are  encompassed.      That  he  would  preserve  us 
"  from  intestine  violence  and  foreign  invasion.     That 
"  he  would  dispose  the  people  of  these  States  to  do 


■.j>.t,^   .. ..  *jv 


f 


• 


What  ai-e 
an  with  the 
at  are  we 

€  attempt- 
be  made 
before  us, 
le  day  of 
iceive  has 
d  States, 
ited  to  of- 
se  proper, 
sincerity 

J^ratitude, 
^hich  we 
idom,  in- 
tate  gov-    . 
may  not 
pire  the 
of  Great 
Tliat  he 
usts  and 
ed,  and 
safe  and 
he  lives 
jr  com- 
1  which 
lerve  us 
That 
i  to  do 


If 

"justice  to  the  Indian  tribes,  to  enlighten,  and  not  to 
**  exterminate  them.  That  he  would  piotect  our 
*'  frontier  settlements.  That  he  would  preserve  us 
*'  from  entangling  and  fatal  alliances  with  those  gov- 
*'  ernments,  which  are  hostile  to  the  safety  and  happi- 
"  ness  of  mankind.  That  he  would  regard  with  tcn- 
*'  der  compassion  the  nations,  whose  most  essential 
"  rights  have  been  wrested  from  them  by  fraud  and 
"  violence,  and  who  are  groaning  under  the  cruel  hand 
"  of  oppression  ;  and  that  he  would  break  in  pieces  the 
•'  power  of  the  oj-prcssor,  and  scatter  the  people  that 
•'  delight  in  war."  In  these,  and  in  all  the  other  requests 
which  are  enumerated  in  the  proclamation  for  the  leli- 
gious  observance  of  this  day,  we  most  cordially  unite  ; 
and  we  are  encouraged  to  make  our  humble  supplica- 
tions to  the  God  of  all  grace,  from  the  assurance  w^e 
have  of  the  propitiousness  of  his  nature,  and  the  former 
manifestations  of  his  goodness  to  the  American  -  eople. 

Those  who  walk  in  the  council  of  the  uiigodly,  and 
who  sit  in  the  seat  of  the  scornful,  may  laugh  at  our 
humiliation,  and  have  us  in  derision,  when  we  make 
our  supplications  ;  but  let  tl.em  remember,  "  the  un. 
"  godly  shall  not  stand  in  judgment,  nor  sinners  in  the 
"congregation  of  the  righteous." 

We  do  not  prostrate  before  the  throne  of  grace,  in 
the  expectation  that  we  can  move  the  Almighty  from 
his  eternal  purposes  ;  but  as  many  of  the  purposes  of 
God  may  be  connected  with  the  humiliation  and  the 
prayers  of  his  needy  and  afflicted  creatures,  it  is  our 
duty  to  look  unto  him,  and  beseech  of  him  to  grant 
us  his  blessing. 


* 


« 
(( 

<( 
(( 
i( 
<( 
(( 
(i 


20 

Let  us  therefore  be  earnest  in  our  supplications,  that 
God  would  take  the  inhabitants  of  this  state,  and  of 
the  United  States  under  his  holy  protection,  and 
hide  them  in  his  pavilion,  nntil  these  calamities  be 
oveipast.  That  he  would  save  us  from  the  bale- 
ful influence  of  party  spirit ;  and  that  whatever  ene- 
mies may  rise  up  against  us  from  abroad,  we  may 
have  peace  and  mutual  confidence  among  ourselves ; 
and  know  by  experience,  how  pleasant  it  is  for  breth- 
ren  to  dwell  together  in  unity." 


■) 


1 


AMEN. 


r^KMIUUMf^ 


"^i^«»*t. 


SECOND  DISCOURSE. 


JEREMIAH  viH.  15. 

«  WE  LOOKBD  FOR  PKACK,  BVT  NO  GOOD  CAME." 

I  REJOICE,  that  the  President  of  the  United  States 
hath  recommended  this  day,  to  be  jbserved,  as  a  day 
of  publick  humiliation  and  prayer ;  for  however  wide- 
ly we  may  differ  from  him  in  opinion  with  respect  to 
the  present  war,  all  good  people  will  unite  in  "  offering 
"  fervent  supplications  to  Almighty  God,  for  the  safe- 
"  ty  and  welfare  of  these  States  ;"  in  "  acknowledging 
"  the  transgressions  which  might  justly  provoke  the 
"manifestation  of  his  displeasure;"  in  "seeking  his 
"  merciful  forgiveness,  and  his  assistance  in  the  great 
"  duties  of  repentance  and  amendment ;  and  especially 
"  in  offering  fervent  supplications,  that  in  the  present 
"season  of  calamity  and  war,  he   would  take   the 
"  American  people  under  his  peculiar  care  and  pro- 
"tection."     In   such   solemnities  we   are  happy  to 
unite  with  "  the  several  religious  denominations  and 
"  societies"   throughout  the  United  States.     Happy 
indeed  shall  we  be,  should  our  united  addresses  to  the 
Supreme  Majesty  of  Heaven  and  earth,  be  followed 
with  an  union  of  sentiment,  and  of  affection,  in  the 
great  family  to  which  we  belong.     United  in  feelings 
and  in  exertions,  the  American  people  might  be  con- 


il 


W 


22 
'cnictl,  safe,  a,.d  liaim,-.    B,„  ,1,,  , 
i'^  a  spi,.i.  and  colLu^'r  '""""'  "■'*• 

vi.icdu.a„,,eA.eHe.„;;rrr:j:r'';- 

■■"pcct  10  subjects  of, he  h,VI,c«  .  """' 

-■'--. .™.  of  c„ur.e'^X.Wr     ''"'"^'""''■ 

P'rty  justifies  the  war,  the  other  T,  '^  '  ""= 

While  one  pan,  think     t  e  "m  emfh  "'"t"""'  '■ 
«'i"ks  it  inexpedient  •   ,„TZ      ■'        """'  P'^'^ 

suppose,  that  :hi,eo„;;:;ttX'l,:. 7"^"'  ■" 
a  majority  of  Cor.gr.ss  a.  the  "he  oH  ^^''  """ 
"ig  toproseeute  the  war   ,!,„    "  °' "> '^ '"deavour. 

certain,,  .speetab,e^o:T;st:r,'':r;r"^'''^ 
P'-opcrty,  will  endeavour  ,0  coZ  „'"  ""<• 

-.atleastsofarasthel::;::!:""""''-^- 
I"  a  situation  so  novel    so  „n  "^    '"^^■ 

d-,^rous,  all  thi„ki„/;;r  2"""'"""^'  -<<  » 
to  know,  what  is  dufv      Th,  '^  ""  "''  ""^'■°"'' 

;=^Mo  .now  What  :rot,,?rdr;"^r'«'e 

duties  we  owe  ot,r  countrjVl  .  "  re'""  "" 
warfare  and  danger,  wha,  is  e2  ^d  J  """•'  "' 
bers  of  socictv    In  .,  •  •      P^^^^^  of  us  as  mem- 

An,erica„eo;e;;;;:r™'''''^^'-Wyof.he 

-^.aschrisLns.  ^'     ^-'"'ed  .0  do.  es,,e. 

oceupied,  than  ,y  attfdi  ^     r::;;-  "^^  ""- 

-  been  mentioned.  AtLhrrr:;::::: 


S3 


oiintry  cxiiib. 
t  irom  auk-ty 
vcr  more  di. 
"k1  that  with 
•  The  pop. 
f  country,  jg 
in  favour  of 
n  lat'.  iy  pro. 

While  I  iie 
"idemns  it. 
other  party 
i  natural  to 
•^ident,  and 
endeavour- 
>  which  is 
talents  and 

^var  mca- 

'f^j  and  so 
t^  anxious 
liry;  VVe 
at  arc  the 
t  state  of 
«s  mem- 
r  of  the 
^.  esjDe- 

How  me 
e  better 
as  have 
10  were 


present,  will  recollect,  at  the  close  of  the  first  discourse 
from  the  text  before  us,,  we  promised,  by  divine  per- 
mission, we  would,  on  this  day,  attempt  to  answer 
such  (juestions  as  were  then  suggested,  and  have  now 
been  reix^ated. 

Many  of  the  duties  which  we  owe  our  country  are 
obvious,  and  ri«.e  cleaily  out  of  the  connexions  and 
relations  which  all  the  members  of  the  same  commu- 
nity bear  to  each  other. 

By  our  country  we  mean,  the  land  in  which  we 
live  ;  the  portion  of  the  world  over  which  the  govern- 
ment extends,  to  which  wc  owe  allegiance.  The  be- 
nevolent wishes  of  every  good  man  extend  to  all  the 
inhubitiints  of  the  eat  th  ;  but  as  particular  portions  of 
the  earth  are  inhabited  by  particular  nations,  or  great 
associations  of  people,  having  their  own  forms  of  gov- 
ernment, and  united  for  their  ov\n  defence,  improve- 
ment, and  happiness,  the  portion  of  the  earth  thus  in- 
habited by  any  particular  nation,  or  association  of  }>eo- 
ple,  is  the  country  of  that  nation. 

The  confederated  States  of  America,  bounded  by 
the  ocean  on  the  one  side,  and  by  certain  British  and 
Spanish  possessions  on  the  other,  is  our  country. 
This  country  embraces  our  families,  our  friends,  and 
our  most  important  temporal  interests.  As  citizens 
of  the  United  States,  and  as  christians,  confederated 
for  certain  great  purposes,  we  are  bound  to  seek  the 
prosperity  and  happiness  of  our  country  and  of  one 
another.  It  will  not  therefore  be  necessary  for  me  to 
offer  an  apology  for  speaking  to  you  this  day,  and  from 
the  pulpit,  on  what  may  be  cailed  a  political  subject. 


/I 


V 


24 

If  you  consult  the  Bible,  and  the  best  writers  on  the  la^v 
of  nature  and  of  nations,  you  will  fir.d  that  sound  no 
Ileal  morality,  and  the  morality  of  the  New  Testament 
come  so  near  together,  that  the  ehristian  minister  who 
inculcates  the  moral  duties  which  were  inculcated  by 
Jesus  and  the  Apostles,  must,  and  will  inculcate  the 
best  political  morals.* 

We  proceed  now  to  give  an  answer  to  sucl. 
questions  as  have  been  suggested,  and  consider 
some  of  the  duties  which  are  particularly  required 
of  us  under  the  e^cisting  circumstances  of  our  coun- 
try. Wh,le  engaged  in  war  with  Great  Britain 
what  dut.es  are  required  of  us  as  citizens  of  the  Uni-' 
ted  Istates,  and  as  christians  ? 

We  answer,  First,  As  citizens  of  the  United  States 
we  are  bou,«l  in  duty  toassist  in  defending  our  country.' 
A  t.me  of  war  ,s  a  time  of  danger ;  and  however  un- 
^vise  or  imprudent  we  may  think  our  rulers  have  been 
.n  b„ng,ng  us  into  danger,  so  long  as  the  danger  re- 
mams  there  ought  to  be  but  one  opinion  with  Lect 
to  defence.  If  the  war  be  ever  so  unjust,  while  te 
mams  the  whole  community  is  exposed  to  suffenn.  ' 
and  thc^fore  the  whole  community  must  assist  in  at! 

tempts  to  ward  off  the  eviUhould  an  en«„y  bl 
bought  to  our  sea  coast,  or  our  frontiers,  by  measu,^ 
wh.chwe  utterly  condemn,  and  for  which  we  Zk 
our  rulers  exceedingly  to  blame,  yet  we  are  called  by 
the  arst,:  '"cple  of  nature,  ..//&/„,„,_„,,,,  ^^,  J 
^opoose  that  enemy,  and  cKpel  him  from  our  borders. 
When  our  common  rights,  our  property,  our  habiU- 


See  V 


AT 


ITEL,  PufFE.-iDOKF,  UwofNa 


ature  Pid  Nations. 


■JtL      'k,  . 


f 


'i*,i 


Jrs  on  the  law 
itt  sound  po- 
^  Testament, 
minister  who 
iculcated  by 
nculcate  the 

er    to  such 
d    consider 
ly  required 
our  coun- 
2at  Britain, 
)f  the  Uni- 

ited  States, 
Lir  country, 
awever  un- 
have  been 
danger  re- 
ith  respect 
^hile  it  re- 
suffering ; 
si  St  in  at- 
neiny   be 
measures 
we  think 
called  by 
are  called 
borders, 
r  habita- 

itions. 


25 

tions,  our  lives,  and  the  lives  of  those  who  are  most 
dear  to  us  are  in  danger,  fi'om  invasion,  or  foes  among 
ourselves,  we  shall  obey  ihe  call  of  our  country,  and 
stand  forth  in  its  defence. 

Secondly ;  when  our  countiy  is  in  danger,  and  is 
sufferine-  under  the  calamities  of  war,  we  shall  use  all 
the  lawful  means  m  our  power  to  bring  the  war  to  an 
honourable  issue. 

So  long  as  the  majority  of  the  American  people,  to- 
gether with  the  gentlemen  in  the  administration  of  our 
national  government,  choose  to  continue  the  war,  it 
must  be  continued.  But  while  the  majority  of  the 
people,  together  with  the  administration,  have  a  legal 
right,  and  the  power  to  contniue  the  war,  the  minority 
also,  have  riglits  which  they  will  exercise.  The  7m?ior- 
ity  have  a  right  to  think  and  to  speak ;  yea,  the  minor- 
ity have  a  right  to  print  and  to  publish :  a  right  to  use 
all  the  force  of  reason  and  argument  to  convince  the 
people  at  large,  and  even  the  rulers  df  the  nation,  that 
the  war  ought  not  to  be  pursued.  If  the  minority 
have  an  opinion  that  the  war,  under  present  circum- 
stances, is  unjust ;  or,  if  not  absolutely  unjust,  it  is 
highly  inexpedient,  they  have  a  right  to  express  that 
opinion  ;  and  whoever  attempts  to  take  that  right  from 
them,  attempts  to  do  them  a  very  great  injury;  at- 
tempts to  make  them  slaves.  This  right,  however, 
is  to  be  exercised  with  decency,  as  well  as  firmness. 
No  false  charges  are  to  be  brought  against  men  in 
power ;  no  irritating  language  against  the  advocates 
and  supporters  of  opposite  opinions. 

4 


i 


26 

Although  some  inconveniences  n,„      •     . 
"ercise  of  the  right  for  which  '!       "^  ""''  ^"""  "" 
«  "-t  be  aliowel  that  a,      e  .nl"!  'T  ^-"'"5. 
-"n,e„t,  such  as  that  under  wh  ch'    ^if'  f"  ^^- 
"ght,  and  ma/ lawfully  exercise Tt    '      T-  ^'''  "'" 
war,  as  in  times  of  peace      The  ' '"  •™'=''  °^ 

-"St  be  alWe.,  or  we  dmh  1",T*^  "'  "'^  "^ht 

-•-e  .i>ich  our  rat£Tbhrra„7:rrH-  ^  '""=' 
'ong  exploded  in  all  f^e  count't  "''  ^"^ '"''" 

Under  despotick  and  arbitrarir  ^ 
know,  the  right  which  ,«. ,      ^  So^'nments  we 

'"■o-d ;  anil  i'r  :ir  rt™^-  '^ "°' 

"a..ons,  wl.0  allow  their  sublc  , hi,  :  ^  """^  ""^ 
Bntish  and  the  American.  Re  d.te  "'  J^  T'"'  "'^ 
«»ns,  and  the  speeches  of  the  most  f  """""• 
bers  of  parliament,  and  you  will  .     ^'^  ""="'■ 

speaking  and  writing  aol^lt  h     ^  '^^  '""J^""^  '" 
against  the  measures  of  1  "'"  '"  P°""'  and 

-hich  the  rulers  of  no  If:::""'™'-  -*  «  ^-^om 
«n,  would  allow     ThT,  '  "''P'  ""^  A"-"-" 

dWous  and  teasonable  e'r  "''T'"'^  "^""^  ^- 

-  and  Writers  do  no  tXTtt;  "f  ''"''  ''""- 

perfectly  safe.  •^"^bress  those  laws,  they  feel 

Daring  attempts  have  been  m  ^ 

""^me  parts  of'he  United  Stages  t;  f  '^'^'r""' 
zens  of  this  rieht     Ti,-  '      °''1'"''<=  "le  citi- 

«vag.  conduct  of  a  Wur  '1"  "'J^"  °'  ">"=  '* 

p-i-oipai  cities  in  :h:s:rs:rv"r°^'''^ 

«°ven,ment  of  the  state  Where  .i::UrCS 


27 


tnents  we 
"g,  is  not 

now  any 
scept  the 

publica- 
■d  mem- 
on>  with 
jects  in 
ver,  and 
freedom 

Amer- 
fine  se- 
speak- 
ey  feel 

made 
le  citi- 
e  late 
3f  the 
dthe 
)ened 


will  be  able  to  detect  and  punish  the  guilty  persons, 
and  to  prevent  any  conduct  of  a  like  kind  in  future.* 
The  moment  the  arm  of  the  law  is  found  insufficient 
to  punish  such  acts  of  violence,  civil  government  is  at 
an  end.  Your  stores  may  be  broken  open;  your 
banks  may  be  robbed ;  your  houses  may  be  set  on 
fire  while  you  are  asleep ;  you  may  be  murdered  in 
your  beds,  in  your  streets,  or  on  the  high  way,  by  the 
most  abandoned  of  the  human  race,  and  there  will  be 
none  to  check  them,  or  make  them  afraid. 

Thirdly ;  in  the  present  state  of  our  country,  when 
we  are  not  only  exposed  to  the  calamities  of  war,  but 
divided  almost  to  hostility  among  ourselves,  every 
good  citizen  will  endeavour  to  reconcile  contending 
parties,  and  promote  union  and  good  fellowship  as  far 
as  possible. 

I  have  long  thought  we  had  much  to  fear  from  the 
strength  and  the  pride  of  contending  parlies.  All 
elective  governments  are  liable,  more  or  less,  to  the 
ill  effects  of  party  interests ;  but  where  elections  to  the 
high  offices,  and  appointments  to  places  of  great  profit 
and  trust  are  so  frequent,  as  they  are  in  the  United 
States,  and  in  the  several  States  united,  party  interests 
are  in  almost  continual  operation.  The  heat  of  one 
of  the  seasons  of  election  does  not  wholly  subside,  be- 
fore another  season  of  the  same  kind  comes  on  ;  and 
the  partisans  who  foil  of  success  at  one  season,  are 
sure  to  be  the  more  zealous  and  persevering  in  tlieir 
preparations  for  the  next. 

•  The  Mol)3  ia  Baltimore. 


>^- 


r 


38 

resort  to  base  .cans  to  bring  up  unworthy  0111.  rs 
as  well  as  to  drive  men  of  the  hi»he«  L      .^^ 
from  publick  services.  ^         'espectabthty 

The  ill  effeets  of  party  interests  ore  to  be  deprecat 
""  ".'  ^"  "■"«■  ">"'  "-y  are  more  particularly  danger 
ous  .„  seasons  of  war,  when  tlte  united  stt^ngthlT 
quired  lor  the  common  defence. 

use^'lrinr'""''  7^  Soo-J  ^h^tian  is  called  to 

use  h  s  influence,  wherever  he  has  an  influence   to 

onahate,  and.  if  possible,  bring  his  brethren  and'fd 

ow  cutzens  to  un.te  in  generous  and  noble  plans,  for 

the  common  good.  ' 

wisxTdTV"  ■   """"'  "''™  *^  •"^"-•i'"'  of 

l:tfr  'f*"-'""^-^  '•'"'l^d  in  their  opinions,  anj 
.n  thetr  feehngs  towards  each  other.  Should  the  w^ 
c  ""nue.  and  the  present  divisions  also  among  th  ,1 
pie  contmue,  no  mortal  can  foresee  what  o!r  sX 
ngsmay  e  If  the  mode.te,  if  the  sober  and  :*; 
.the  humble  professors  of  the  christian  religion  hav^ 
an  mfluence,  they  will  use  that  influence  at  the  pres  M 

r    tv  a„7h  ' ""'  ""'^ '"  '"^  "'^—  f- 

uit  safety  and  happmess  of  the  whole 

I  confess  that  at  certain  times  I  have  been  exercised 
w.th  distressing  apprehensions  for  my  country-.  That 
form  of  government  wluch  «^s  planned  by  some  of 


n 


29 

the  wisest  and  best  men  that  ever  Uved,  and  under 
which  the  confederated  States  flourished  beyond  ex- 
ample, during  the  administration  of  the  first  Presi- 
dents, has,  of  lute,  been  so  weakened  by  divisions,  and 
by  causes  which  may  not  be  proper  for  me  now  to 
mention,  that  many  good  people  have  feared,  the  re- 
publican confederation  would  fail  of  the  noble  purposes 
for  which  it  was  established. 

The  federal  government  for  many  years  was  our 
strength  and  our  glory  ;  and  our  citizens  desired  no 
name    more   honourable  than  the    name,  federalist. 
But  alas  !  this  honoured  name  is  now  the  scoff  of  the 
foolish,  and  the  reproach  of  many  who  know  not  its 
meaning.  -  But  if  federalism  is  proscribed,  that  federal- 
ism which  gave  strength  and  dignity  to  our  country, 
what  is  the  form  of  government,  I  would  ask,  what  is 
the  form  of  government,  which  the  present  revilers  of 
the  federalists  mean  to  establish  ?  What  name  will  they 
give  to  their  new  constitution  ?  Do  any  of  them  wish 
to  prostrate  all  government,  that  they  may  make  them- 
selves rich  with  the  spoils  of  the  wealthy,  whom  they 
hate  ?  and  make  themselves  powerful  with  the  author- 
ity which  they  take  from  better  men  ?  When  I  hear 
men  rGwWin^  federalists,  I  am  obliged  to  view  them 
as  enemies  to  the  federal  government ;  and  as  that  is 
the  government  which  all  the  good  citizens  of  the 
United  States  have  sworn  to  support,  those  who  hate 
federalism,  hate   our  own   government,  and  are  dan- 
gerous men.    1  hope  they  know  not  what  spirit  they 
are  of;  but  if  they  really  mean  what  they  say,  they 


\ 


i» 


so 

only  want  power  to  accomplish  their  purposes,  and  the 
federal  government  would  soon  be  demolished.  We 
need  not  ask  what  government  those  reformers,  those 
exclusive  friends  of  Hberty  and  of  mankind  would  es, 
tablish,  for  it  is  presumed,  they  have  not  yet  digested 
their  plan  :  their  study  has  not  been  to  build  up,  but 
to  destroy  :  and  to  destroy  has  always  been  found 
much  the  easier  work. 

We  will  not  however  despair  of  our  commonwealth : 
We  will  not  despair  of  our  federal  government.  Let 
the  wise  and  the  good  ;  let  moderate  and  thinking  men 
of  all  parlies  unite,  and  our  government  will  be  support- 
ed ;  our  country  will  be  saved. 

Fourthly  ;  as  vice  and  irreligion  are  the  general 
concomitants,  and  to  a  greater  or  less  degree,  the  nat- 
ural consequences  of  war,  it  is  the  duty  of  all  good 
men,  to  use  their  best  endeavours,  to  check  the  corrup- 
tions,  and  prevent,  as  far  as  possible,  those  moral  evils 
to  which  the  American  people  arc  now  more  particu- 
larly exposed. 

In  a  time  of  wa-,  a  large  portion  of  the  men  are 
drawn  off  from  the  peaceful  and  sober  occupations  of 
life,  and  have  it  not  in  their  power  to  attend  on  the  stated 
and  regular  institutions  of  religion.     Armies  marching 
from  place  to  place,  and  occupied  in  the  dreadful  busi- 
ness  of  destroying  the  lives  and  the  property  of  their 
fellow  creatures,  are  not  only  out  of  the  way  of  reli. 
gious  improvement,  but  they  are  in  the  way  to  lose 
what  good  impressions  may  heretofore  have  been  made 
upon  their  minds,  and  to  contract  feelings  extremely 
unfriendly  to  piety  and  virtue. . 


31 

But  if  men,  taken  from  the  sober  employments  of 
life,  are  exposed  to  corruption,  and  to  the  great  vices, 
in  one  species  of  warfare  more  than  another,  I  have 
thought  that  kind  of  predatory  warflire,  which  has  in- 
deed  been  countenanced  by  civilized  nations,  as  well 
as  by  the  more  savage,  is  the  most  dangerous  to  the 
morals  of  men,  and  the  most  vitiating  of  any.  No- 
thing can  be  offered  in  justification  of  this  sort  of  war- 
fare but  the  custom  of  nations.  It  must  be  obvious 
to  every  reflecting  mind,  that  this  kind  of  warfare 
draws  into  exercise  the  worst  of  the  human  passions. 
Men  who  engage  in  it,  engage  for  plunder. 

They  make  their  attack,  whenever  they  can,  on  un- 
armed merchantmen  ;  and  the  language  is  exactly  tlie 
same  as  that  used  by  robbers  on  the  land,— (/f'/irtT 
your  property,  or  you  must  die. 

These  observations  I  do  not  make  with  particular 
reference  to  our  own  country,  but  they  are  meant  to 
be  general  ;  and  I  hope  the  time  will  come,  when  the 
rulers  of  the  nations,  will  not  think  of  giving  their  sub- 
jects commission  to  plunder  the  innocent  and  unarm- 
ed at  sea,  any  more  than  they  would  give  a  commis- 
sion to  plunder  the  innocent  and  unarmed  on  the  land. 
I  know  not  that  any  of  my  hearers  have  been,  or 
are  engaged  :i-  this  kind  of  warfare,  and  therefore  none 
will  take  oifence.      As  that  species  of  warfare  called 
privateering,  appears  to  have  a  peculiar  tendency  to 
harden  the  hearts,  and  to  deprave  the  affections  of  those 
who  engage  in  it,  I  hope  it  will  be  discouraged  by 
the  good  people  of  this  country  ;  and  really,  from  the 
few  attempU  which  have  been  made  since  the  present 


■A, 


32 

war  commenced,  it  does  not  appear  to  be  a  business 
which  good  calculators  will  be  apt  to  pursue. 

But  as  war,  under  the  most  favourable  circum- 
stances in  which  it  can  be  viewed,  is  a  calamity,  which 
all  good  men  deprecate,  both  on  account  of  the  destruc- 
tion which  it  occasions,  and  the  crimes   which  attend 
it,  our  hearts  desire  and  prayer  to  God  is,  that  the  war 
in  which  our  country  is  now  engaged  may  be  speedily 
terminated.     Surely  the  great  body  of  the  people  can- 
not wish  to  have  the  war  continued.     What  can  they 
gain  by  it  ?  I  know  not  any  thing ;  but  if  it  be  contin- 
ucd,  the  losses  in  lives,  in  property,  in  comforts,  and 
every  thing  valuable,  will  be  immense.      Surely  the 
government  of  the  United  States  cannot  wish  to  have 
the  war  continued.      When  it  is  considered,  that  the 
measure  was  not  obtained  but  with  great  opposition, 
and  with  a  small  majority  ;    and  that  the  opposition 
will  prevent  the  raising  and  supporting  an  army  suffi- 
cient for  any  great  achievements,  it  may  be  presumed 
the  administration  will  embrace  the  first  opening  for 
an  honourable  settlement  with  the  nation,  on  whom  the 
attack  has  been  made.      And  an  opening  we  think  is 
now  presented.      The  British  government  has  taken 
an  important  step,  and  by  an  act  of  justice,  removed 
the  great  occasion  of  the  war.      I  say  the  great  occa- 
sion, because  the  other  articles  enumerated  in  the  Pres- 
ident's  cleckration,  and  in  die  manifesto,  are  of  minor 
consideration  ;  and  may,  no  doubt,  be  honourably  set- 
tled by  a  treaty. 

However  unjustifiable  the  conduct  of  the  British 
government  toward  the  United  States  may  have  been 


3$ 

heretofore,  it  must  be  said,  the  prompt  manner  in  which 
the  obnoxious  orders  in  council  were  removed  on  the 
first  authe.nic  account  which  that  government  received 
of  the  revocation  of  the  French  decrees,  was    truly 
honourable.     And  su.eiy  the  conduct  of  British  offi. 
ceis  in  h.Kh  eonmiand,  iu  America,  has  been  generous, 
fur  bcyoi.d  H'hat  we  had  reason  to  expect,  since  the 
present  war  commenced.     Early  care  was  taken  by  the 
governor  cf  Ca.uvda,  and  the  governor  of  Nova- Scotia, 
th  .t  '■ubject.  of  the  United  States  on  the  frontiers,  and 
on  ihe  .ca-coasts,  should  not  be  disturbed  ;  and  equal- 
ly  reneroushas  beeu  the  conduct  of  the  commander  of 
the'-oquadron,  on  the  American  station,  (Admiral  Saw- 
yer)  in  protecting  the  small   coasting  vessels  from, 
plunder  and  capture,  by  ships  cruising  on  our  shores. 
The  manner  also  in  which  officers  under  the  British  gov- 
ernment  have  hastened  to  communicate  to  our  govern- 
ment, the  revocation  of  the  orders  in  council,  and  in 
proposing  an  Armistice,  by  sea  and  by  land,  by  which  a 
stop  may  be  put  to  the  farther  shedding  of  blood,  must 
place  those  officers  high  in  the  esteem  of  all  who  de- 
light in  the  peace  and  prosperity  of  our  country.     W  e 
hive  confidence  that  our  government  will  most  cheer- 
fully meet  the  advances  on  the  part  of  the  British,  and 
that  an  tnd  may  be  speedily  put  to  a  war,  certainly 
unnecessary  under  present  circumstances,  whatever 
gentlemen   may  have  thought  of  it,    when    it    was 
proclaimed.      Should  our  government  embrace   the 
opportunity  to  make  peace,  which  seems  now  to  be 
fairly  openmg,  we  may,  in  a  short  time,  experience 

5 


34 


u 


f 


\\ 


w. 


a  change  which   will  fill  every   heart,   with  joy  and 
gladness. 

But  should  the  door  be  shut,  and  the  voice  of  our  gov- 
ernment "  still  be  for  war,"  (which  I  pray  God  in  his 
mercy  will  prevent)  calamities  may  be  expected,  such 
as  our  country  nev..  experienced.  In  the  present 
divided,  and  unprepared  condition  of  the  American 
States,  no  war,  unless  it  be  purely  defensive^  can  be  car- 
ried on  to  any  effect.  If  war  be  attempted  at  a  gxeat 
distance,  M^ith  the  view  of  making  conquests  in  an  ene- 
my's country,  the  armies  which  can  be  raised  for  such- 
purposes,  will  probably  be  \vastcd  in  battles  and  in  sick- 
ness ;  and  such  as  shall  survive,  may  be  obliged  to 
return  without  laurels,  or  rewards  for  their  sufferings. 

I  hope  that  for  these  unfavourable  conjectures,  I 
shall  not  be  deemed  an  enemy  to  my  country,  or  be 
treated,  as  the  author  of  our  text  was  treated  by  the 
government  of  his  country.  Because  Jeremiah  fore- 
told the  misfortunes  which  would  attend  the  measures 
which  the  people  were  pursuing,  he  was  cruelly  per- 
secuted, and  cast  into  a  dungeon.  God  knows  I  wish 
well  to  my  country  ;  and  I  pray  our  rulers  may  know 
"  the  things  which  belong  to  their  peace,  at  least  in 
"  this  their  day  ;  before  the  things  of  their  peace,  be 
"  hidden  from  their  eyes." 

Fifthly  ;  at  all  times,  and  more  especially  in  times 
of  war,  it  is  the  duty  of  all  serious  and  good  people,  to 
do  their  utmost,  to  promote  the  work  of  repentance  and 
reformation  ;  so  that  the  procuring  cause  of  the  ca- 
lamity being  removed,  the  calamity  also  may  be  taken 


■a 


35 


away.  We  are  to  consider  war  as  a  judfrment  of 
Heaven.  It  has  always  been  so  considered  by  men 
of  religion,  and  is  so  considered  in  the  President's 
proclamation  for  the  observance  of  this  day.  "  This 
"  day  is  set  apart,  for  the  devout  purposes  of  render- 
"  ing  to  the  sovereign  of  the  universe,  and  benefactor 
"  of  mankind,  the  publick  homage  to  his  holy  attri- 
"  butes  ;  of  acknowledging  the  transgressions  which 
"  might  justly  provoke  the  manifestations  of  his  divine 
"  displeasure,  of  seeking  his  merciful  forgiveness  and 
"  his  assistance  in  the  great  duties  of  repentance  and 
"  amendment." 

In  whatever  way,  war  is  brought  upon  a  nation, 
whether  by  the  rashness  or  folly  of  the  men  in  power, 
or  by  an  unprovoked  and  unjustifiable  invasion  of  its 
rights,  war  is  to  be  considered  as  a  judgment  inflicted 
for  crimes  against  God. 

Look  into  the  writings  of  the  old  Testament  and  the 
New,  and  you  will  find  this  opinion  supported  by 
Moses  and  Jesus  ;  by  the  prophets  and  apostles. 
When  a  nation  therefore  is  suffering  under  the  calam- 
ities  of  war,  deliverance  is  not  to  be  expected,  until 
there  be  an  ^appearance  of  reformation.  And  there- 
fore, as  we  hope  and  pray  for  peace,  we  shall  do  all  in 
our  power  to  reform  those  who  are  wandering  from 
the  1  .^^nt  way,  and  to  promote  true  piety,  righteous- 
ness and  charity  in  the  places  where  we  live.  And  I 
trust  in  God  that  he  will  listen  to  the  prayers  of  multi- 
tudes  of  serious  people,  which  are  offered  to  him  this 
day,  from  all  parts  of  our  country.     We  may  charita- 


,  / 


; 


36 

bly  hope,  that  notwithstanding  the  difit-rcnt  and  oppo- 
site opinions  which  are  entertained,  with  respect  to  the 
necessity  and  expediciicy  of  the  war,  the  various  de- 
nominations ofchristians  throughout  the  United  Slates, 
will  unite  in  their  prayers,  that  God  would  give  his 
people  rciK'ntance,  and  remove  away  the  calamity 
which  is  beginning  to  fall  upon  them. 

If  the  people  of  our  nation,  be  humble  and  sincere 
in  their  devotions,  and  in  their  resolutions  of  amend- 
ment, they  are  furnished  with  abundant  reason  to  hope, 
from  the  divine  clemency,  and  from  past  interpositions 
of  providence  on  their  behalf.  In  times  of  danger  and 
of  war,  our  fathers  humbled  themselves  before  God, 
and  he  was  pleased  to  shew  them  his  salvation. 
"  When  threatened  with  die  most  severe  of  all  tempo- 
ral calamities,  we  may  prostrate  ourselves  before  the 
God  of  heaven  and  pray,  that  he  would  be  pleased 
"  to  avert  the  tokens  of  his  anger,  and  remember  for 
*'  us  his  former  loving  kindnef'S.'"*  Jehovah  was  the 
defence  of  our  fathers  in  times  of  trouble  ;  and  they 
could  say,  they  "never  sought  him  in  vain." 

Sixthly  ;  in  time  of  war,  as  in  all  times  of  suffering 
and  of  danger,  it  is  expected  that  serious  people  will 
be  "  instant  in  prayer."  "  In  their  affliction,"  said  an 
holy  prophet,  "  they  will  seek  me  early."  People  in 
their  proh,peiity,  at  ease  \\\  their  dwellings,  and  having 
none  to  make  them  afraid,  have  very  commonly  be- 
come careless,  and  in  many  instances  have  appeared 

•  novernnr  S(rnng's  proclamation  for  n  fast,  July  23,  1812,  in  consequence 
of  the  dt-cluraliuu  of  war. 


(( 


i( 


37 


to  lose  that  sense  of  dependence  on  God,  which  they 
felt  when  in  humbler  circumstances.  The  wise  and 
the  righteous  sovereit^n  of  the  woild  hath  seen  fit  to 
afflict  his  people,  when  they  were  tJius  unmindful  of 
his  goodness,  and  became  worldly  and  sensual  in  their 
affections.  Such  was  the  course  of  discipline  which 
God  used  with  the  children  of  Israel  ;  and  such  is  the 
course  which  we  may  expect  God  will  use  with  the 
American  people,  who  have  been  highly  favoured,  but 
who  have  not  been  careful  to  obc}'  his  commandaients, 
and  to  offer  unto  him,  those  religious  acknowledge- 
ments, which  were  due  for  his  unmerited  goodness. 
We  are  now  corrected  for  our  faults.  In  our  affliction 
it  is  expected  that  we  humbly  implore  the  divine  mer- 
cy.  As  the  people  of  the  United  States  are  common 
sufferers,  under  the  present  calamity,  they  are  called, 
on  this  day,  to  make  their  common  supplications  to 
the  God  of  heaven,  that  he  would  "  mercifully  forgive 
"  them,  and  however  unworthy  and  ill-deservhig,  that 
"  he  would  take  them  under  his  peculiar  care  and 
"  protection." 

If  the  duties  of  this  day,  be  performed  with  serious- 
ness, and  the  prayers  which  are  offered  be  made  in 
faith,  and  in  humble  dependence  on  the  mercy  and 
goodness  of  God,  we  may  hope  he  will  remove  from 
us  the  present  calamity,  and  grant  us  peace.  The  scrip- 
tures of  the  Old  and  of  the  New  Testament  abundant- 
ly teach  us,  that  we  may  hope  not  only  to  be  delivered 
from  evils,  but  to  be  admitted  to  the  richest  blessings, 
if  we  sincerely  repent  of  our  iniquities,  and  are  instant 


f  ■: 


^J 


38 

in  our  prayers  and  supplications,  to  a  gracious  heaven- 
ly Father. 

But  it  is  to  be  considered,  we  may  ask  and  not  re- 
ceive,  *'  because  we  ask  amiss."  Our  expectation  of 
receiving  the  things  which  we  pray  for,  must  be  on 
the  ground,  that  the  things  which  we  pray  for,  be  prop- 
er for  us  to  receive.  We  may  pray  for  health,  but 
God  may  see  fit  to  afflict  us  with  sickness.  We  may 
pray  for  riches,  but  God  may  see  that  riches  would 
increase  our  pride,  and  give  us  the  means  of  becom- 
ing more  wicked,  and  therefore  he  may  deny  us  what 
we  request. 

In  the  present  circumstances  of  our  country,  we 
may  pray  that  God  would  go  forth  with  our  armies, 
and  enable  them  to  accomplish  whatever  they  shall  un- 
dertake ;  but  God  may  see  that  the  war,  in  whole  or 
in  part  is  unjust,  and  refuse  to  grant  his  blessing. — 
And  here,  I  confess  to  ycu,  I  feel  extremely  embar- 
rassed. Were  the  war  which  our  rulers  have  pro- 
claimed purely  defensive^  I  should  have  no  difficulty  in 
making  humble  and  earnest  prayer  for  divine  aids ; 
but  when  the  war  is  not  for  defence  only,  but  for  con- 
quest, and  the  conquest  of  a  people  who  have  never 
injured  us,  in  that  part  at  least,  the  war  appears  to  me 
unjust ;  and  therefore  I  must  be  excused,  if  I  do  not 
pray,  that  God  would  bless  our  armies  on  an  expedi- 
tion, to  which  I  could  not  give  my  services  with  a 
good  conscience. 

I  confess  before  God,  I  do  not  see  that  it  is  just 
to  send  lire  and  sword  among  an  innocent  people,  be- 


\:\ 


39 


cause  the  government  under  which  they  live,  a  govern- 
ment between  three  and  four  thousand  miles  distant, 
has  passed  some  laws  which  bear  hard  on  our  rights. 
I  do  not  see  that  it  is  just  to  destroy  an  innocent  people, 
because  they  retain  their  allegiance  to  a  sovereign, 
whom  we  have  declared -to  be  our  enemy.* 

Such  is  the  weakness  of  the  human  mind,  and  such 
the  prejudices  which  men  have  m  favour  of  their  own 
schemes,  that  they  often  ask  God  to  succeed  them 
when  they  ought  not  to  be  succeeded,  and  to  bless 
them  when  their  pursuits  are  unjust  and  wicked. 
When  two  nations  are  at  war,  both  of  them  think  their 
cause  is  just  ;  both  appeal  to  God,  and  endeavour  to  en- 
gage his  protecuon  and  blessing.  How  careful  then 
ought  the  rulers  of  a  nation  to  be,  that  they  have  just 
cause,  before  they  proceed  to  the  last  extremity,  and 
call  on  their  subjects  to  inflict  the  greatest  of  all  pu- 
nishments, on  such  as  may  have  offended  them. 

A  writer  of  the  first  reputation  on  the  law  of  nations, 
in  one  of  his  chapters  on  war,  has  the  following  excel- 
lent observations.  "  Whoever  forms  to  himself  the 
"  idea  of  war,  considers  its  terrible  effects,  its  dc- 
"  structive  and  unhappy  consequences,  must  agree, 
"that  it  should  never  be  undertaken,  without  the 
"strongest  reasons.  Humanity  is  shocked  at  the 
"  sovereign,  who,  without  reason,  exposes  his  people 
"  to  the  havock  and  miseries  of  war,  when  they  might 

•  See  the  proclamation  of  Brigadier  General  Hull,  to  the  inhabitants  of 
Canada.  "The  United  States  offer  jou  peace,  liberty  and  security — yoiir 
"  choice  lies  between  these,  and  WAa,  slavery,  and  destuuction!  I  ! 


I 


:/i 


i 

/ 


II 


n 


40 

"enjoy  an  honourable  and  salutary  peace.— ""xsides 
"  the  misfortunes  drawn  on  his  subjects,  for  which  he 
« is  accountable,  he  is  guilty  also  of  those  he  carries 
"  amidst  an  innocent  peojile.     The  slaughter  of  men, 
"  the  pillage  of  cities,   the  devascation  of  provinces 
"  are  his  crimes.     lie  is  responsible  to  God,  and  ac- 
countable to  .aan,  for  evert/  person  that  is  killed ! 
'  War  is  so  dreadful  a  scourge,  that  nothing  less  than 
manifest  justice,  joined  to  a  kind  of  necessity,  can 
"  authorize  it.     The  right  of  making  war,  belongs  to 
"  nations  no  farther  than  is  necessary  to  their  defence, 
"  and  the  support  of  their  rights.     To  take  arms  lavv- 
'' fully,  there  must  be  just  cans    of  complaint;  satis- 
"  faction  must  have  been  demanded  of  the  offending 
"  nation,  and  denied.     And  when  the  injured  nation 
"  has  determined  to  prosecute  its  rights  by  force  of 
"  arms,  it  owes  this  further  regard  to  humanity,  and 
"especially  to  the  lives  and  tranquillity  of  the  subjects, 
to  declare  to  the  unjust  nation,  or  to  its  chief,  its  in- 
tention to  make  use  of  open  force  for  bringing  the 
"  offender  to  reason." 

This  i-  called,  declaring  war.  How  happy  would 
it  have  been  for  die  nations  of  Europe,  had  they  al- 
ways observed  the  moral  principles,  with  respect  to 
war,  laid  down  by  this  excellent  writer.  Had  the 
present  emperor  and  king  of  the  French  been  brought 
up  at  the  school  of  Vatteh  and  imbibed  the  pure  doc- 
trines taught  by  him,  he  would  not  have  spread  slaugh- 
ter and  misery  through  a  great  part  of  Europe. 

I  have  proceeded  as  far  perhaps,  as  may  be  neces- 
sary, in  considering  the  duties  which  we  are  particu- 


(< 


(( 


41 

larly  called  to  perform,  at  this  season  of  vvarilire  and 
danger.  As  citizens  of  the  United  States,  so  fiir  as  the 
present  war,  in  which  our  country  is  engaged,  or  may 
be  engaged,  shall  appear  to  be  clearly  in  defence  of  our 
most  important  rights,  we  are  bound  to  g've  our  assis- 
tance, in  such  personal  services,  or  other  aids,  as  may 
be  required  of  us. 

But  while  a  defensive  war  is  justifiable,  on  the  com- 
mon principle  of  self-preservation,  and  it  may  be  pre- 
sumed that  all  parties  in  our  country,  would  unite  in 
repelling  invaders,  we  cannot  feel  satisfied  that  it  is  our 
duty  to  assist  in  conquering  and  destroying  our  neigh- 
bours, who  have  never  injured  us,  solely  because  they 
are  subjects  of  a  monarch  who  has  injured  us. 

We  consider  war,  as  one  of  the  greatest  evils  which 
can  come  upon  us  ;  we  shall  therefore  do  all  in  our 
power,  which  appears  to  us  consistent  with  justice  and 
equity,  to  bring  the  war  in  which  our  country  is  now 
engaged,  to  a  happy  and  honourable  iusue.  We  la- 
ment the  threatening  divisions  among  the  people,  and 
as  citizens  and  christians,  we  will  endeavour  to  heal 
them  ;  and,  if  possible,  bring  the  present  contending 
parties  to  unite  in  some  generous  plan,  for  the  public 
good.  As  a  season  of  war,  has  generally  f)rbved  to 
be  a  season  of  corruption  and  abounding  iniquil}^  we 
will  not  only  endeavour  to  check  the  progress  of  vice, 
but  to  encourage  and  strengthen  evcvy  good  principle, 
and  promote,  to  the  best  of  our  abilities,  the  duties  of 
piety,  righteousness  and  charity.  ^ 

6 


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42 

Let  our  prayers  be  incessant.  "  Laying  aside  all  mal- 
"  ice,  and  all  guile,  and  hypocrisies  and  envies,  and  all 
"  evil  speaking,"  let  us  draw  nigh  to  God  with  sincere 
desires,  and  with  pure  affections  ;  and  may  he,  who 
has  always  heard  the  prayers  which  proceed  from  up- 
right hearts,  hear  our  prayers,  and  grant  us  Peace. 

AMEN. 


f'i/ 


EhiOT,  Printer, 


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